The Mercedes M-Class is a premium 4x4 rivalling the BMW X5, Range Rover and Audi Q7. With a hefty kerb weight it comes with powerful petrol and diesel engines and four-wheel drive, as you’d expect. Sophisticated off-roading technology is available, but the large alloy wheels and sports tyres fitted to most versions make it clear the M-Class is tuned primarily for road driving.

With a comfortable ride, this makes the M-Class an impressive long-distance driving machine, although you’ll be stopping for fuel quiet often if you choose a V8 petrol. 

Performance

Most buyers will choose either the 250 BlueTEC or 350 BlueTEC, fitted with a 2.1-litre and 3.0-litre diesel engine respectively, boasting 201 and 254bhp. Four-wheel drive is standard, fed through a seven-speed automatic gearbox with a manual mode. Acceleration is reasonably brisk, with 0-62mph taking between 7.4 and 9.0 seconds. Gear changes are smooth, particularly around town, but the manual mode isn’t as responsive as the best rival systems.

If you’re after an altogether faster 4x4, the M-Class 63 AMG is fitted with a 5.5-litre V8 producing 518bhp, allowing it to launch to 62mph in 4.8 seconds, over half-a-second quicker than the 5.0-litre supercharged Range Rover.

Ride and Handling

It feels more comfortable to drive than more sporting SUV’s like the Porsche Cayenne.

The M-Class is a large vehicle, but excellent visibility does make it easier to manoeuvre in town than you might expect. It feels more comfortable to drive than more sporting SUV’s like the Porsche Cayenne, with a soft ride best suited to a relaxed driving style. It’s an approach in keeping with this type of vehicle, but those upgrading from a normal car may need to get used to more body roll in the bends. Despite its weight and size, the heavily assisted steering is very light, making parking and low speed off-roading a breeze. It’s not alive with feel, but as this is no sports car, we won’t hold that against it.

Interior and Equipment

In 2015 Mercedes plans to rename the M-Class as the GLE, in a move where all its 4x4s will start with the letter ‘G’.

Mercedes are renowned for building luxury cars and the M-Class fits this bill. It might not quite have the character of a Range Rover, but there’s no arguing with the quality of materials and user friendly infotainment system. With so much space, it’s hardly surprising passengers of all shapes and sizes can get comfortable in the M-Class. There’s lots of headroom for those over six-feet tall and it’s wide enough for three adults to sit in the back. Sadly there’s no third row of seats though, so families who need extra space for kids will be better off with a seven-seat Land Rover Discovery or Audi Q7. The boot measures 690 litres behind the rear seats and a huge 2,010 litres with them folded, beating the huge E-Class estate for luggage space. The Audi Q7 is slightly larger, but most rivals offer less space.

Cost

The 250 diesel is the best choice for avoiding fuel stops, with 46.3mpg and emissions of 159g/km.

Unsurprisingly, the M-Class doesn’t come cheap, costing from around £48k to more than £80k, but its rivals are also expensive. The 250 diesel is the best choice for avoiding fuel stops, with 46.3mpg and emissions of 159g/km being very low for a full-size luxury 4x4.  The M-Class 63 AMG couldn’t be more different, with performance clearly the priority. Still, if you can afford it, 23mpg and 276g/km of CO2 might not be too off-putting.

Our Verdict

We like the fact the Mercedes M-Class hasn’t tried to take on the Porsche Cayenne with overly firm suspension, instead opting for a more comfortable ride and softer responses. Still, if you do want to embarrass hot hatchbacks at your local drag strip, the 63 AMG is more than capable of doing so. If not, and to stave off high running costs, we’d suggest the 250 CDI is quick enough while also rewarding you with greater distances between motorway services, where the M-Class excels as a comfortable and luxurious way to travel.